Measles Elimination (measles + elimination)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Rapid diversification of measles virus genotypes circulating in Morocco during 2004,2005 epidemics,

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 11 2006
Amal Alla
Abstract Measles virus strains circulating in six different regions in Morocco during 2004,2005 were analysed. They were genotyped using two different methods: the recently developed method based on real-time PCR amplification and melting curve analyses, and the conventional method based on nucleic acid sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 456 nucleotides of the 3,-region of the nucleoprotein (N) gene sequence. Five genotypes (A, B3.2, C2, D7 and D8) were shown to be circulating during this period. Previous studies on measles virus genotypes in Morocco (1998,2003) showed that only the genotype C2 was present and was considered to be endemic. Sequence comparison of the 2004,2005 viruses with other measles strains suggests that measles strains belonging to genotype B3.2 were probably imported from West Africa, whereas those belonging to genotypes D7 and D8 were imported from Europe. These studies which identify the route of importation of measles are important for developing strategies for measles elimination in Morocco. J. Med. Virol. 78:1465,1472, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Molecular epidemiology of measles virus in Japan

PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2004
Tetsuo Nakayama
AbstractBackground:,Measles virus has been classified into 22 genotypes. The present report examines the molecular epidemiology of measles virus in Japan from 1984 to 2002, and the epidemiological link between imported cases in several foreign countries and Japanese strains was elucidated from the literature. Methods:,B95a or Vero cells was used to isolate the measles virus. The measles virus genome was amplified in the N and H genes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and were partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial sequence of the N gene, from position 1230 to 1685, of the recent measles strains was performed in comparison with the World Health Organization reference strains. Results:,There were large outbreaks of measles in Japan in 1984, 1987,1988, 1991,1993, and 2001,2002 and each outbreak was caused by a different genotype. Genotype C1 was an indigenous strain for a long period before 1985, while D3 was isolated in 1987,1988 and D5 in 1991,1993 outbreaks. In addition, the Chicago-type D3 caused sporadic regional outbreaks from 1998 to 1999. After 2000, H1 became the dominant circulating strain. It should be noted that the Japanese strains were detected as imported cases by epidemiological linkage in several countries. Conclusion:,Among the recent circulating strain of measles virus in Japan the genotype H1 was dominant after 2000 and the Japanese strains D3, D5, and H1 were exported to several countries. It is recommended that Japan should adopt a more extensive and active vaccination strategy for measles elimination in line with other countries in the world. [source]


Monitoring measles elimination in Victoria

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2005
Niels G. Becker
Objectives: To weigh the evidence from outbreak data that Victoria has achieved, and is maintaining, elimination of measles. To identify age groups that measles vaccination has not protected adequately. Methods: Data on observed measles outbreaks in Victoria since the start of 1998 are used to estimate the reproduction number of cases, and the probability that it is maintained below unity, its threshold value for elimination. The relative susceptibility to measles is estimated as a function of age, with confidence intervals. Results: Seventeen measles introductions led to secondary cases, while 22 were single-case introductions. From these, the probability that the reproduction number for cases exceeds unity is estimated to be 0.044, or less, depending on assumptions made. There is no evidence that the reproduction number increased over time. Those aged between 19 and 32 years were most susceptible, followed by those in the first and second year of life. Conclusions: The data provide strong evidence that Victoria has maintained elimination of measles over the period 1998 to mid-2003. There is scope to improve the immunisation coverage. It is not clear how much outbreak intervention is contributing to the success in achieving apparent elimination. Implications: To prevent importations from causing a major epidemic of measles, Victoria must maintain its immunisation coverage and outbreak control at current levels, or better. It is important to monitor the control of measles even when elimination is achieved. [source]


First 5 years of measles elimination in southern Africa: 1996,2000.

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2002
Richard Reading
No abstract is available for this article. [source]